Viburnum plant named ‘COMPACT01’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Viburnum cultivar named ‘COMPACT01’ is disclosed, characterized by a small foliage, typically around ⅓ the size of the typical Viburnum odoratissimum. Plants are distinctively short and compact, having an internode length on average about ½ the size of typical Viburnum odoratissimum. Growth is controlled and compact, reducing maintenance within the landscape. The new variety is a Viburnum odoratissimum, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Viburnum odoratissimum.

Variety denomination: ‘COMPACT01’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Viburnum cultivar originated as a chance seedling discovered ina commercial planting of an unnamed, unpatented Viburnum odoratissimumplant widely sold in the commercial horticulture trade. A singleseedling with small foliage and compact plant morphology was discoveredby the inventor in a commercial planting of an unnamed, unpatentedViburnum odoratissimum plant. The inventor selected this interestingseedling at a commercial nursery in Center Hill, Fla. in 2010.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘COMPACT01’ by softwoodcuttings was first performed during the Spring of 2011, at a commercialnursery in Center Hill, Fla. Subsequent asexual propagation has shownthat the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced trueto type in 2 successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘COMPACT01’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘COMPACT01’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘COMPACT01’ as a new and distinct Viburnumcultivar:

-   -   1. Foliage approximately ⅓ the size of the typical Viburnum        odoratissimum.    -   2. Short plant height.    -   3. Compact growth.    -   4. More densely branching than typical Viburnum odoratissimum.    -   5. Internode length approximately ½ the length of typical        Viburnum odoratissimum.    -   6. Controlled and compact growth reduces maintenance within the        landscape.

PARENT COMPARISON

The pollen and seed parent are assumed to be the same unpatented,unnamed Viburnum odoratissimum plant commonly sold in the trade. Plantsof the new cultivar, ‘COMPACT01’ are similar to plants of the assumedparent in most horticultural characteristics. Plants of the new cultivar‘COMPACT01’, however, differ in the following;

-   -   1. Foliage of the new variety is approximately ⅓ the size of        foliage of the assumed parent.    -   2. Plant habit of the new variety is much more compact.    -   3. Internode length of the new variety is approximately ½ the        length of the assumed parent plant.    -   4. Plants of the new variety are shorter than those of the        assumed parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘COMPACT01’ can be compared to the unpatentedcommercial variety Viburnum ‘Emerald Jewel’. These varieties are similarin most horticultural characteristics, however ‘COMPACT01’ differs inthe following:

-   -   1. The new variety has much smaller foliage, approximately ½ to        ⅓ the size of this comparator.    -   2. Plant habit of the new variety is much more compact.    -   3. Internode length of the new variety is approximately ½ the        length of this comparator    -   4. Plants of the new variety are shorter than those of ‘Emerald        Jewel’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘COMPACT01’ can be compared to the unpatentedcommercial variety Viburnum ‘Emerald Lustre’. These varieties aresimilar in most horticultural characteristics, however ‘COMPACT01’differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety has much smaller foliage, approximately ½ to        ⅓ the size of this comparator.    -   2. Plant habit of the new variety is much more compact and        dense.    -   3. Internode length of the new variety is approximately ½ or        less than the internode length of this comparator    -   4. Plants of the new variety are shorter than those of ‘Emerald        Lustre’, this comparator forms a large shrub or small tree, the        new variety forms a mid-sized shrub.    -   5. Foliage of ‘Emerald Lustre’ can be slightly copper colored in        Spring, a characteristic not observed in the new variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘COMPACT01’ grown outdoors in a 2 gallon nursery pot,in Loxley, Ala.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a typical inflorescence of ‘COMPACT01’.Age of the plant photographed is approximately 2 years.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘COMPACT01’ plants grown in a commercialnursery in Loxley, Ala. Measurements were taken during Spring of 2017.The plants were 2-3 years old in 2 gallon containers. The growingtemperature ranged from approximately 2° C. to 27° C. Measurements andnumerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Viburnum odoratissimum ‘COMPACT01’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: About 30 days at approximately 24° C.-   Root description: Dense density freely branching. Root thickness    from thick to thin. White to brown in color, not effectively    measured with a color chart.-   Time to produce a rooted young plant: About 120 days at 24° C.

PLANT

-   Plant type: Perennial shrub.-   Age of plant described: Approximately 3 years old.-   Growth habit: Evergreen shrub.-   Pot size of plant described: 3 gallon pot.-   Overall plant shape: Outward “V” shape.-   Height: 60 cm.-   Plant spread: 70 cm.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Plant vigor: Good.-   Branching characteristics: Opposite, basal branching. Pinching    required.-   Length of primary lateral branches: 20 to 35 cm.-   Diameter of lateral branches: 1 cm.-   Quantity of lateral branches: About 5 to 7 lateral branches per main    branch.-   Stem:    -   -   Stem appearance.—Round.        -   Stem strength.—Strong.        -   Stem color.—New growth near RHS Green 143C. Older growth            near Greyed-Green 197D.        -   Pubescence.—New growth glabrous, older growth slightly            scaly.        -   Aspect.—Upright about 35° to 45° from center of plant.-   Internode length: Average 3 to 7 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Leaf shape.—Obovate.        -   Average length.—Average range 4 to 7 cm, including petiole.        -   Average width.—3.0 cm.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Attenuate.        -   Margin.—Infrequent broad dentations, more frequent towards            apex.        -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous.        -   Appearance of top surface.—Moderately glossy.        -   Appearance of bottom surface.—Matte with shiny veins.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near Yellow-Green 144A.            Young foliage under side: Near Green 138B. Mature foliage            upper side: Near RHS Green 137B. Mature foliage under side:            Near RHS Green 138A.        -   Venation.—Pattern: Pinnate. Color upper side: Near RHS            Yellow-Green N144D. Color under side: Near RHS Green 138B.        -   Petiole.—Average Length: 5 to 11 mm. Diameter: 3 mm. Petiole            color upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green N144D. Petiole color            under side: Near Green 138A. Petiole Texture upper side:            Glabrous. Petiole Texture lower side: Glabrous.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Spring to early Summer.-   Inflorescence type and habit: Terminal, pyramidal umbel.-   Flower longevity on plant: 2 to 3 weeks.-   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence: Approximately 140.-   Inflorescence size:    -   -   Width.—Approximately 5 cm.        -   Height.—Approximately 8 cm.-   Individual Flowers:    -   -   Flower form.—Rotate, single whorl.        -   Flower aspect.—Upward facing.        -   Size.—Diameter: Approximately 6 mm. Depth: Approximately            4 mm. Flower tube diameter: 1 mm. Flower tube length: 2 mm.-   Flower other characteristics:    -   -   Persistence.—Self cleaning.        -   Fragrance.—Sweet.-   Petal:    -   -   Petal arrangement.—Single whorl.        -   Number of petals per flower.—5.        -   Petal shape.—Orbicular to ovate.        -   Petal base.—Fused.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Tip shape.—Round.        -   Length.—2 mm.        -   Width.—1 to 2 mm.        -   Texture.—Upper: Smooth. Lower: Smooth. Tube: Smooth.-   Petal color:    -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: Near RHS Yellow-White 158D.            Lower surface: Near RHS Yellow-White 158D.        -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: Near RHS Yellow-White 158A.            Lower surface: Near RHS Yellow-White 158B.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Oblong.        -   Length.—Approximately 3 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 2 mm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-White 158D.-   Sepals:    -   -   Arrangement.—Rotate, fused at base.        -   Quantity.—5.        -   Shape.—Individual sepals, narrow deltate.        -   Base.—Fused.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Tip shape.—Acute.        -   Length.—2 mm.        -   Width.—1 mm.        -   Texture.—Inner: Glabrous. Outer: Glabrous.        -   Color.—Inner: Green 143C. Outer: Green 137D.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Average range 2.0 to 3.2 cm.        -   Diameter.—3 to 4 mm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 143C.        -   Orientation.—Straight, approximately 90° from branch.        -   Strength.—Good.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—3 mm.        -   Diameter.—1 mm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 143C.        -   Strength.—Good.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Filament length.—1-2 mm.        -   Filament color.—Near RHS Yellow-White 158D.-   Anthers:    -   -   Shape.—Linear.        -   Length.—1 mm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Yellow 160A.        -   Pollen.—Scant, colored near Greyed-Yellow 160D.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—2 mm.        -   Style.—Length: 2 mm. Color: Near RHS Green 143C.        -   Stigma.—Color: Near RHS Green 143C.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    normal diseases and pests of Viburnum have been observed.-   Temperature tolerance: USDA Zones 8 to 11.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Viburnum plantnamed ‘COMPACT01’ as herein illustrated and described.